North Carolina Bills

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 669: Physical Therapy Practice Act Mods.

SB 669 revises North Carolina's Physical Therapy Practice Act by clarifying the definition of "physical therapy" to include evaluation and treatment using exercise, massage, and rehabilitative procedures (while explicitly excluding surgery, chiropractic, and medical diagnosis). It establishes a new Board of Physical Therapy Examiners with eight members: one medical doctor, four licensed physical therapists, two licensed physical therapist assistants, and one public member appointed by the Governor. The Board will oversee licensing, enforce professional standards, conduct confidential investigations, and require continuing education to maintain licensure. These changes directly affect physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and the public by restructuring oversight of the profession.

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 667: Government Modernization.

SB 667, the Government Modernization Act of 2025, requires North Carolina state agencies to upgrade outdated computer systems, enhance cybersecurity protections, and expand online public services. It mandates agencies to conduct IT assessments, implement multi-factor authentication and encryption, and create mobile-friendly portals for licenses, taxes, and business filings. The bill also directs a study on using blockchain technology to secure records, verify licenses, and improve procurement transparency. These changes aim to improve efficiency and accessibility for residents and businesses while reducing bureaucratic delays, with implementation beginning July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 670: Drones/Certain Vendor Purchases Prohibited.

SB 670 prohibits North Carolina state agencies and local governments from purchasing small drones (under 55 pounds) manufactured or assembled by specific foreign vendors. It directly affects all state and local entities that use public funds for drone acquisitions, banning purchases from vendors on U.S. sanctions lists, based in China or Russia, or controlled by those governments. The law prevents the use of any state funds - including through contracts or grants - for such purchases, effective July 1, 2027. It applies to all "small unmanned aircraft systems" operated without direct human control, regardless of whether they are recoverable or expendable.

Topics ✗ Technology

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 660: Honoring Sacrifice: NC Veterans Relief Act.

SB 660 increases the property tax exemption for disabled veterans in North Carolina from $45,000 to $75,000 of home value, effective for taxes starting July 2025. It also allows 100% disabled veterans to exclude their primary vehicle from property tax and creates a prequalification process to determine eligibility before purchasing a home. Local governments will be reimbursed by the state for 50% of revenue losses from these exemptions, capped at 1% of their general fund revenue. The bill directly affects North Carolina residents who are 100% disabled veterans or surviving spouses of such veterans.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 663: End Menstrual Poverty Act.

SB 663, the "End Menstrual Poverty Act," allocates $350,000 in one-time state funds to expand access to feminine hygiene products through North Carolina’s diaper banks and $1 million annually to fund a school-based grant program for feminine hygiene products. It directly affects low-income individuals and students who rely on diaper banks and school programs for essential hygiene items. The bill increases funding for existing distribution networks (diaper banks) and creates a recurring school grant program under state law. This provides concrete policy changes by boosting product availability in community and educational settings without altering eligibility or creating new requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 676: The North Carolina Survivors' Act.

SB 676, the North Carolina Survivors' Act, allows courts to consider a defendant's history of domestic violence, physical, sexual, or psychological abuse as a factor that may lead to a reduced sentence. It applies to people convicted of certain crimes who were survivors of abuse by intimate partners, family members, household members, traffickers, or those who exploited them financially. To qualify, defendants must provide documented evidence (like court records, medical reports, or witness statements) showing the abuse was a substantial factor in causing the offense. The bill reduces specific sentence ranges (e.g., life without parole to 30 years or less) but excludes cases involving sex offenses, crimes against children, or offenses requiring sex offender registration.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 674: Lic. Mental Health Reciprocity/Recognition.

SB 674 allows licensed mental health professionals (including clinical counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists) from other states to practice in North Carolina more easily. It requires applicants to have actively practiced for at least two of the past five years, pass background checks, pay fees, and provide a social security number. The bill mandates licensing boards must issue or deny licenses within 60 days of application, streamlining access to mental health services without replacing existing interstate compacts.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 668: NC Genetic Counselors Workforce Act.

SB 668 establishes a licensing system for genetic counselors in North Carolina by creating a five-member Genetic Counselors Licensure Board. The bill requires genetic counselors to obtain a license from this board to practice, defines key terms like "genetic counseling" and "genetic counselor," and sets standards for licensure, supervision of interns, and continuing education. It directly affects genetic counselors and genetic counseling interns practicing in North Carolina by mandating licensure under the new framework. The board will handle applications, renewals, disciplinary actions, and develop rules to regulate the profession. The bill does not address healthcare access or costs but focuses on professional standards and oversight.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 673: Protect Physicians Voices/Freedom of Movement.

SB 673 protects licensed healthcare professionals (physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, and registered nurses) employed by hospitals in North Carolina. It prohibits hospitals and stakeholders from retaliating against these workers for reporting safety concerns, ethical violations, or breaches of hospital medical staff rules. The bill also bans non-compete clauses in hospital employment contracts and requires nondisclosure agreements to explicitly allow reporting of safety or legal violations. Violations of these provisions make the agreements unenforceable, with affected workers entitled to damages and legal fees.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 666: 2025 Water Safety Act.

SB 666 creates a $56 million PFAS Mitigation Fund to help local water and wastewater systems address PFAS contamination through grants for testing, treatment upgrades, and emergency response. It sets strict drinking water limits (e.g., 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS) and requires the state to adopt science-based PFAS discharge limits for industries by October 2025, including source reduction plans and pretreatment technology. The bill also allocates $14 million for research on PFAS detection, health impacts, and removal technologies through UNC’s Collaboratory. These provisions directly affect public water systems, industrial dischargers, and communities facing PFAS contamination in water sources.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 679: The Women's Care Act.

SB 679, the Women's Care Act, requires North Carolina courts to defer imprisonment for 12 weeks after a pregnant person’s delivery (or end of pregnancy) if they pose no threat to the community. It directly affects pregnant female persons sentenced to prison, mandating courts to postpone incarceration while requiring them to maintain perinatal care, participate in community programs, and report monthly via phone or electronic means. The bill also allows probation supervision without fees during this period and requires prisons to report annual data on pregnant incarcerated women starting in 2026. The law applies to sentences issued on or after its effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 662: Modernize Domestic Violence Protection Order.

SB 662 updates North Carolina's domestic violence protective order law to explicitly include same-sex couples in dating relationships. It amends the definition of "personal relationship" by removing the requirement that dating partners be of opposite sex, ensuring same-sex couples who are romantically involved can seek protective orders under the same criteria as opposite-sex couples. The bill changes Section 50B-1(b)(6) of the statute to clarify that a dating relationship is defined by ongoing romantic involvement, not gender. This policy change applies to protective orders issued on or after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results